Shopping & Services

After many long years of small community resistance, and another case of “Not in My Back Yard” politicking, the Cathedral Commons, which will include a more expansive grocery store, shopping options, residential housing, and an enlivened streetscape, will soon become a reality.

Giant has not yet selected a developer or general contractor for the project but they have several proposals and will make a selection within the next few months. The construction of the new buildings is expected to begin in the fall.

Unfortunately, the existing stores have to shut down. The barber's sign says he's leaving at the end of this month and some tenants, like Sullivan’s, have been extended until June.

2010 was a difficult year for businesses in Georgetown, much like virtually every other area throughout the country. Some might think that the upscale shops that line M Street and Wisconsin Avenue would be immune to an economic downtown…but they would be wrong.

“The main challenge facing Georgetown businesses right now is diminished cash flow due to declining sales,” Said Rokas Beresniovas, the Vice President of the Georgetown Business Association. “In some ways, this economic downturn has brought business owners together to form groups and business forums to help strategize how to remain competitive in this kind of market. But practically, some businesses still could not make it.”

The results are evident, as boarded-up storefronts continue to appear in a community that’s used to filling space with posh shops and chic, pricey restaurants.

There is no better way to get that stress off your face than a facial. So why with so many places right here in the Nation’s Capitol, can the wrong decision cause more stress? It may be those "unwanted extras"….medical professionals may call it Erysipelas, which is a skin infection caused by streptococcal bacteria; I call it "an expensive reason why I don’t go to spas.” It is amazing how many spas this bacteria has made its home in! Luckily, Patsy, owner of Patsy's Nail Bar, educated me on "spa sanitation," and armed me with some key questions we should all be asking before we subject ourselves to a potential Occupational Safety and Health Administration (O.S.H.A.) or even a Washington, D.C "health violation":

Submitted by Leigh Macdonald, News Where You Live Ambassador, NoVA, D.C., Maryland

Thursday, November 11th, 2010, 12:08pm

Reprinted with permission from Ashburn Patch -- Briar Patch Bed & Breakfast Inn in scenic Middleburg plans to offer free rooms to veterans as part of a nationwide promotion this week to honor those who have served our country.

B&Bs and inns across the country are providing free rooms on Wednesday, Nov. 10, in observance of Veterans Day on Nov. 11 to honor servicemen and women now serving or who have previously served time with one of the country's military forces.

Two B&B owners started the program in 2009. Both were members of the West Virginia B&B Association and this year the veteran program has expanded to include 49 states, 8 international locations and more than 850 Inns.

Let me preface this story, as well as these photos, by saying that I kind of feel bad posting this, simply because the people at the 7-Eleven were so nice to me when I went in yesterday. I'm not a bad person, and I do appreciate the fact that they let me use their facilities even though I wasn't a customer, but what I saw needs to be seen.

It was around lunch time, and I was headed to Dupont Circle and needed to use a bathroom. So, upon seeing the recently opened 7-Eleven on 19th Street, I ducked into the convenience store and asked an employee if I could use the restroom even though I had no intention of purchasing an item.

He said, very kindly I might add, that I could and pointed me to the back of the store. I opened the door to the bathroom and was taken aback.

The room was packed with trash and recycling bins, as well as containers that the store used to carry its products. Had I entered the trash room by accident? Nope.

Submitted by Leigh Macdonald, News Where You Live Ambassador, NoVA, D.C., Maryland

Monday, October 25th, 2010, 12:08pm

The Dandelion Patch, a 16-year-old fine stationery store, announced the opening of its Leesburg location today. The Village at Leesburg locale is the fourth store in the company’s continued expansion, with its first locations in Vienna and Reston, Virginia and Georgetown in Washington DC, respectively.

In recent years, The Dandelion Patch has grown by more than 425%. In addition to offering fine stationery, custom invitations, and unique gifts for all occasions, the company has built a solid reputation for its exceptional service, attention to detail, and wedding expertise.